This
13 track compilation is from the bands that
performed at the Second Annual Baby Blues Showcase.
At time of writing there have now been three
Baby Blues Showcases. The 3rd was Thanksgiving
weekend 2004. This is a celebration of the regions
young blues musicians (I think they are all
under age 30). Baby Blues Showcase is the brain
child of Jeremy Segel-Moss of the Bottoms Up
Blues Gang and sponsored by Playback, the Duck
Club and STLBlues.net.

Brian
Curran: (St. Louis)

Driftin’
– classic Curran, dobro and vocals
very delta bluesish.Walkin’ Blues –
a Robert Johnson song, keep in mind its just
one guy playing rhythm and lead.

Joe Schicke: (Memphis)

The
Whale Has Swallowed Me – good,
steady beat and tasteful slides.

The Bottoms Up Blues Gang: (St. Louis)

Catfish
– great vocals Kari, I liked the harmonica
too. Segel-Moss does a great job holding down
all the rest.Ain’t Nobody’s Business
– a jazzy ballad with backing piano, harmonica
and a mellow guitar solo.

Levee Town: (Kansas
City)

Automatic – upbeat song
with loud guitar, harmonica and raw vocals.
I really liked this song.One Trip Jones – an original
tune that’s a fast paced instrumental.
If you like Chicago blues you’ll like
this one, it’s smokin’.

Macy Thomas: (New
Orleans)

St. Louis Blues
– this is an under 30’s? It sounds
like a 1940’s song straight from the delta.Penitentiary Blues –
I preferred this song of the two, its fairly
raw, it’s the blues. Both are original
songs.

Shakey Ground:
(St. Louis)

Freeway
Blues – a blend of mellow harmony
and excellent guitar work and that’s just
the introduction, then you get vocals that are
extremely powerful. This song is outstanding.
Packing-House Blues –
another great, really great song. I dig the
bass shuffle, the guitar work and vocals. I
can’t wait for a CD of nothing but these
guys!

The Melissa Neels
Band: (St. Louis)

Come
Back Home – this song has a bit
of a boogie woogie feel to it. Blues harmonica
as it should be, guitar solo and piano.Give It On Up To You –
this song has a good shuffle and good feel to
it.

This
CD is a good combination of delta, electric,
with and without harmonica, killer guitar and
soulful vocals. Plenty of variety that covers
many genres of blues. My preference is the electric
Chicago style sound found on the Shakey Ground
songs.